Golf-swing training device

ABSTRACT

A golf-swing training device consists of a base and a reference bar of variable effective length pivotably mounted thereon. The attitude of the bar defines a swing plane for reference by the golfer in controlling his swing, and the length of the bar is adjusted so as to position the contact element, at the upper end of the bar, for interception by the head of a club moving in the swing plane; the contact element is desirably resiliently deflectable, and cushioned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In order to most effectively strike a golfball it is important that the club be so controlled as to follow proper paths on both the back swing and also the down swing. Such paths lie along an imaginary reference plane referred to as a “swing plane,” which is disposed angularly with respect to the ground and extends through the ball. Specifically, during the back swing the club head should follow a path outwardly adjacent the swing plane (relative to the golfer's position), and on the down swing it should follow a path lying generally inwardly thereof.

[0002] The hand motion of most inadequately trained or amateur golfers describes a “loop” at the top of their back swings, which proceeds from behind the golfer's head and outwardly toward the ball on the down swing. By reversing the loop the golfer's hands are caused to move in such a way as to produce a correct, more effective swing. In the past, teaching professionals have used the so-called “shaft-in-the-ground” method for curing such defects; the technique employs a headless club shaft, inserted into the ground, to define a suitable swing plane.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is a broad object of the present invention to provide a novel training device for achieving an improved golf swing.

[0004] It is a more specific object of the invention to provide such a device which is readily adjustable, to enable use by virtually any golfer and for any club, and which is so constructed as to minimize the risk of club damage and personal injury.

[0005] It is also a broad object of the present invention to provide a novel golf-swing training method.

[0006] Certain of the foregoing and related objects of the invention are attained by the provision of a golf-swing training device comprising: surface-engaging supporting means, a variable effective length reference bar, and means for operatively attaching the lower end portion of the reference bar to the supporting means for angular displacement about at least one axis adjacent the supporting means. The means for attaching is constructed to enable secure positioning of the reference bar in each of a range of angular attitudes, taken respect to a surface on which the supporting means is disposed; i.e., it can be adjusted to substantially dispose the bar in each of a multiplicity of reference planes lying adjacent desirable swing paths for a variety of golf clubs. The effective length of the reference bar can be adjusted to dispose its upper end portion in the path of the head of a golf club moving in the reference plane.

[0007] In preferred embodiments, the upper end portion of the reference bar will comprise a resiliently deflectable “breakaway” contact component made, for example, of a resilient cellular material or a coil spring, and most desirably it will comprise a coil spring covered by such a resilient material in the form of a sleeve or the like. The supporting means will usually take the form of a base constructed to rest stably on the ground, and the reference bar will usually be pivotably mounted thereon. The effective length of the reference bar will typically be variable in the range of about 33 to 46 inches, and it will advantageously comprise a plurality of telescopically interengaged sections.

[0008] Other objects of the invention are attained by the provision of a golf-swing training method utilizing the device described herein. In carrying out the method, the attitude and length of the reference bar are initially adjusted to match substantially the lie angle and length of a selected golf club disposed in proper ball-hitting position. The training device is then positioned behind the student and in general alignment with the ball location, such that: (1) in the address position the shaft of the selected golf club lies substantially in the reference plane defined, (2) the upper end portion of the reference bar is disposed for contact by the club head moving in the reference plane, and (3) the ball location lies substantially in the reference plane. The student then undertakes to strike a ball by causing the golf club to follow a back swing path lying outwardly adjacent the reference plane, relative to his own position, and a down swing path having an intermediate portion lying inwardly adjacent the reference plane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a golf-swing training device embodying the present invention, depicted in fully folded configuration;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of the invention showing the reference bar elevated to a selected attitude;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device additionally showing the crosspiece of the base pivoted to its functional position;

[0012]FIGS. 4 and 5 are front and side elevational views, respectively, showing a golfer using the device of the invention and with the club positioned at an intermediate stage of his back swing; and

[0013]FIGS. 6A and 6B depict a golfer producing an incorrect swing, and

[0014]FIGS. 6C and 6D show him producing a corrected swing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Turning initially to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings, therein illustrated is a golf-swing training device embodying the present invention and including a base, generally designated by the numeral 10, consisting of a beam 12 and a crosspiece 14. The crosspiece 14 is pivotably attached to the beam 12 by a nut and bolt fastener 16, and it is received (in its folded, stored position) within an indentation 13 formed along the underside of the beam 12.

[0016] A reference bar, generally designated by the numeral 18, comprises three telescopically interengaged sections 20, 22 and 24 (typically made of tubular aluminum), and a coil spring 26 coaxially mounted on the end of the upper section 24. The coil spring 26 carries a covering sleeve 28 of resilient (normally cellular) cushioning material (such as for example polyethylene foam), the covered spring providing a resiliently deflectable contact component constituting the upper end portion of the reference bar 18. As will be appreciated, the sections 20, 22, 24 comprising the bar 18 are dimensioned and configured to frictionally engage one another, and thereby to maintain their relative positions; a locking feature (not illustrated), such as may be actuated by rotating the top section of the bar about its axis, can be incorporated if so desired to better secure the sections in their relative positions of extension.

[0017] The lower end of the bar 18 is attached to the beam 12 by a mounting fixture, generally designated by the numeral 31. The fixture 31 consists of a head 30 in which the lower end portion of the section 20 of the bar 18 is received. The head 30 is journalled in a U-shaped bracket 32, and is pivotably mounted upon a bolt 36 that extends between the upstanding ear portions of the bracket 32 and through a transverse passage in the head 30. Washers 38, made of rubber or other similar material, are interposed at the opposite sides of the head 30 against the ear portions of the bracket 32 and they serve to increase friction for maintaining the head 30 in any selected position; needless to say, the nut on the end of the bolt 36 (or a tension-control knob) can be tightened to more positively secure the attitude of the reference bar 18.

[0018]FIGS. 4 through 6 of the drawings depict the device in use. Initially, the crosspiece 14 is rotated to a position perpendicular to the beam 12 so as to configure the base 10 for stable support on a surface (normally, the ground). Using a selected club “C”, the golfer assumes a preliminary position alongside the device and adjusts the extension and attitude of the bar 18 so as to substantially match the length and lie angle of the club, held in position for addressing the ball; i.e., the bar should match the set-up position of the club as closely as possible.

[0019] The golfer then moves forwardly an appropriate distance from the device (typically, two feet or so), as established by bringing the club to a waist-high, generally horizontal position parallel to the target line, with the ferrule of the club head disposed just above and outwardly of the upper end portion (contact component 26/28) of the reference bar 18. The longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 14 may be used as a reference for parallel alignment of the shaft, and it may bear indica (such as a bold arrow) to emphasize that function.

[0020] A proper relationship is shown in FIG. 4, wherein the contact portion of the reference bar presents an obstacle that is to be avoided during both the back swing and also the down swing of the stroke. (If the bar 18 intersects the club at a point between the head and the handle, the golfer is standing too close; he is standing too far away if the head is not in position to touch the bar.) Alignment of the ball in the reference plane can be facilitated by reference to the longitudinal axis of the crosspiece 14, and a locating tape or string (not shown) can be attached to the beam 12 to enable ready replication of a proper distance between the ball location and the training device, once determined.

[0021] In using the device of the invention the golfer's objective is to control his swing so that the club head follows a path lying just outside (i.e., above) the plane “P” defined by the bar 18 on the take-away and back swing (as depicted by the arrow in FIG. 6C), and so that it follows a path through the plane “P” and having an intermediate portion lying just inside (i.e., underneath) the plane on the down swing (as depicted by the arrow in FIG. 6D). These swing paths can be compared to the corresponding, incorrect back swing and down swing paths depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.

[0022] Forcing the golfer to take the club on a more outside or straight-back path on the take-away, and to return it on an inside path partially beneath the plane of the reference bar, promotes the desired inside-out swing. This reverses the direction of a faulty hand loop and causes the club to stay on the target line longer, both before and after impact. Although the golfer would of course ultimately endeavor to hit the ball using a full-speed swing, in the course of training he would normally begin slowly (e.g., at 20 percent of his natural swing speed) and progressively increase velocity as a properly grooved swing is developed.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the contact component 26/28 allows the upper end portion of the bar 18 to be deflected when it is hit by the club (as will invariably occur during practice), and to thereafter resume its coaxial position automatically. The component 26/28 will generally be about 12 to 14 inches long; it is cushioned both to avoid damage to the club and also injury to the golfer's hands.

[0024] It is self-evident that the device can be used irrespective of whether a golfer is right-handed or left-handed, and in any environment in which the game is played or practiced (the base will desirably be about one inch high so as to approximate the thickness of a typical driving range mat). While being intended primarily for use in correcting the over-the-top loop defect described, the device can be employed for remedying other flaws as well.

[0025] For example, a tendency toward an excessively outside back swing can be corrected by so orienting the reference bar as to define a plane that lies slightly above the shaft angle at address, thereby promoting a stroke that is comprised of path components lying beneath the bar on both the take-away and also on the down swing. Additional purposes for which the device can be used include the teaching of basic hand control, and the correction of a tendency to lift the club outside on the take-away motion; the device can also be employed by positioning it in front of the golfer, such as to demonstrate factors that contribute to a proper follow-through.

[0026] Many variations can of course be made in the device described without departing from the concept of the present invention. For example, rather than employing a simple, rectilinear pole attached directly to a base, a more complex reference bar, articulated other than by direct pivotal mounting, might be provided. Furthermore, a driven stake, rather than a base designed for resting on the ground, might serve as the means for supporting the reference bar.

[0027] Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel training device for achieving an improved golf swing. The device is readily adjustable to enable use by virtually any golfer and for any club, and it is constructed to minimize the risk of club damage and personal injury. The invention also provides a novel golf-swing training method. 

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A golf-swing training device comprising: surface-engaging supporting means; a variable effective length reference bar having a lower end portion, and an upper end portion comprised of a resiliently deflectable contact component; and means for operatively attaching said lower end portion of said reference bar to said supporting means for angular displacement of said reference bar about at least one axis adjacent said supporting means, said means for attaching being constructed to enable secure positioning of said reference bar in each of a range of attitudes angularly displaced relative to a surface on which said supporting means is disposed; whereby the attitude of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said reference bar substantially in each of a multiplicity of reference planes lying adjacent desirable swing paths for a variety of golf clubs, and whereby the effective length of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said contact component in the path of a golf club head moving in a said reference plane.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said supporting means is a base constructed to rest stably on the ground.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said reference bar is pivotably attached to said supporting means by said means for attaching.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the effective length of said reference bar is variable in the range of about 33 to 46 inches.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein said reference bar comprises a plurality of telescopically interengaged sections.
 6. The device of claim 1 wherein said contact component comprises a resilient cellular material.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein said contact component comprises a coil spring.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein said contact component includes a covering of resilient cellular material on said coil spring.
 9. A golf-swing training device comprising: surface-engaging supporting means; a variable effective length reference bar having a lower end portion and an upper end portion; and means for operatively attaching said lower end portion of said reference bar to said supporting means for angular displacement of said reference bar about at least one axis adjacent said supporting means, said means for attaching being constructed to enable secure positioning of said reference bar in each of a range of attitudes angularly displaced relative to a surface on which said supporting means is disposed; whereby the attitude of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said reference bar substantially in each of a multiplicity of reference planes lying adjacent desirable swing paths for a variety of golf clubs.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said upper end portion of said reference bar is comprised of a resiliently deflectable contact component; whereby said contact component of said reference bar can be disposed in the path of a golf club head, moving in said reference plane, by adjustment of the effective length of said reference bar.
 11. A golf-swing training method, including the steps: (a) providing a device comprising: surface-engaging supporting means; a variable effective length reference bar having a lower end portion and an upper end portion; and means for operatively attaching said lower end portion of said reference bar to said supporting means for angular displacement of said reference bar about at least one axis adjacent said supporting means, said means for attaching being constructed to enable secure positioning of said reference bar in each of a range of attitudes angularly displaced relative to a surface on which said supporting means is disposed, whereby the attitude of said reference bar can be adjusted to dispose said reference bar substantially in each of a multiplicity of reference planes lying adjacent desirable swing paths for a variety of golf clubs; (b) adjusting the attitude and length of said reference bar to substantially match the lie angle and length of a selected golf club disposed in proper ball-hitting position, said reference bar thereby defining the angular orientation of a reference plane; (c) positioning said device behind the trainee and in general alignment with the ball location, with the shaft of the selected golf club, so disposed in proper ball-hitting position, lying substantially in said reference plane and with the reference bar spaced from the trainee a distance such that said upper end portion thereof would be contacted by the club head moving in said reference plane, said ball location also lying substantially in said reference plane; and (d) the trainee undertaking to strike a ball by causing the selected golf club to follow a back swing path with the club head moving outwardly adjacent said reference plane, relative to his own position, and a down swing path having an intermediate portion in which the club head moves inwardly adjacent said reference plane. 